FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas and coach Mike Anderson got the first game out of the way, beginning a new era with a feel-good 83-63 win against South Carolina-Upstate.

Now comes the Razorbacks’ first test against a team that played in the 2011 NCAA Tournament.

Arkansas, which enjoyed what Anderson described as a “special” night in the opener, will face a significant step up in competition against the Golden Grizzlies (0-1) tonight in Bud Walton Arena. Oakland, which is located in Rochester, Mich., is coming off a 74-57 loss at Alabama in its season opener on Monday night, but has enjoyed plenty of success under long-time coach Greg Kampe.

“They’re a dangerous team,” Anderson said. “They’ve got good guard play. They’re used to winning. They’ve got good experience. We’ll have our work cut out for us.”

Oakland has won the Summitt League in consecutive seasons and is 51-19 overall in that stretch. They’re no stranger to knocking off major conference opponents, too, beating then-No. 7 Tennessee last season.

It’s an opponent that resonates with some of the returning Razorbacks, even if the name isn’t eye-opening.

“We’ve got to come out with heads on straight and not do any playing around,” Arkansas guard Rickey Scott said. “We’ve got to be really focused, because it’s going to be a tough game ... They’re playing a tough schedule, so that’s going to make them better.”

Arkansas’ newcomers also said they’re aware of the challenge the Razorbacks will face, too.

“When you look back at the teams they’ve played and the teams they’ve beaten, that kind of sets things in perspective,” Arkansas forward Hunter Mickelson said.

“We’re not going to overlook anybody.”

That may be, but Anderson also said the Razorbacks must show improvement on the court in a number of areas to beat the Golden Grizzlies tonight.

Arkansas can start with the turnovers. The Razorbacks committed 23 in the opener, a number that must be cut down significantly tonight, according to Anderson.

So Arkansas guard Mardracus Wade said it’s no surprise turnovers have been a big emphasis this week.

“All week. We’ve been talking about it all week,” Wade said. “Coach was getting on Rickey and Julysses Nobles about having too many unforced turnovers. We’ve got to keep the ball and be more careful with it.”

Anderson also said Arkansas needs better play from its bench, which struggled throughout the opener.

Some of it had to do with the freshmen class getting their feet wet in the regular season opener (forward Devonta Abron was 1-for-7 from the field). But Anderson said the primary goal for his group is to continue the defensive intensity when the reserves are on the floor.

“When those guys come off the bench they have to maintain or add,” Anderson said. “I felt at times they actually took away from the team. That’s the process these guys have to make sure they understand as they define their roles each and every game.”

Arkansas should get a good look at its progress in Anderson’s up-tempo system against Oakland, which likes to push the pace as well. The Golden Grizzlies, whose starting lineup includes four guards, were led by senior point guard Reggie Hamilton’s 16 points Monday night.

So Arkansas forward Marshawn Powell said the Razorbacks expect a big test from Oakland tonight.

“We’re going to see where we’re at and what we need to fix and the things we need to get better at,” he said.

Oakland is the first of eight 2011 NCAA Tournament teams on Arkansas’ schedule. Anderson said he’s eager to see how his team lives up to the first challenge tonight.

“It’s going to be an up-and-down game,” Anderson said. “They won’t hold it and we won’t hold it. So it will be up-tempo basketball, hopefully at its best.”